Golden 'vimana' consecrated

Tiruchirapalli, Feb 9 (UNI) Thousands of devotees witnessed the 'Kumbhabishekam' (consecration) of the golden 'vimana' at the Sri Mariamman Temple at Samayapuram here this morning.

Amid chanting of vedic hymns, the priests poured holy water, brought from sacred rivers, on the 'vimana' at 0736 hrs marking the ceremony.

Earlier, the 'yagasalai' pooja was performed at 0400 hrs. The 'vimana' was recently renovated and gold plated at a cost of Rs 7.75 crore.

State Ministers K R Periyakaruppan and K N Nehru were among those present.

Tight security arrangements had been made at the venue with over 1,000 police personnel deployed for bandobust. Over 100 armed police and a company of Tamil Nadu special police were also on duty.

UNI